http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...er=emailarticle

I know we're not all Americans, buuuut this article is kind of strange, and makes you wonder about yourself. But then I think about it and realize that it's probably a load of crap. Still interesting to ponder though.



I do have to say, this quotation is CLASSIC. Picnics are -vital- to a social life.

I remember family picnics. Decent food, bad ants.

I once sat on a red ant hill at a rest station.

It hurt

Yes, if only society were still so sweet and innocent! Family dinners, picnic at the park, wholesome baseball games and, oh, no pesky black people!

Huh? whats the connection between A and B?

The timeframe.

oh right, timeframe... damn that landing on the moon thing!

What does the Moon landing have to do with this? I understand Guido, but you..I just dont.

1968 - Civil Rights act
1969 - man lands on moon.

What any of those has to do with people having social networks and friends they can rely on.. I have no idea, but it must be related since its the same timeframe.

But I'm sure that Americans landing on Moon (i.e. going into outerspace) has -something- to do with social alienation.. right? right?

Daganev, this is a sense of humour. Notice the U in it, it's rather important. You use this to locate situations that are humorous, and then you laugh at them.

Missed a pun here and there did you?


Guido's 'joke' is often used in real academic settings. I heard it all the time in my Socialism 101 classes.


Tv during the 50s.. lots of family oriented programming (i.e. families are the main charachters) During the 50's hieghetned racism.

Tv during the late 60's.. more focus on individuals and "lone heros" during the late 60's a decrease in Racism.

Therefore, caring about family and tradition, or being exposed to social networks based on authority and tradition leads to evils such as racism.


I had to write a paper defending that once... *shudder*

And I still think its a non-sequator.

It's not. A strong family hierarchy is more likely to pass down the values of the parents to the children, whatever they may be. A more rebellious culture is less likely to be influenced by their elders, whatever that influence may be. It just happened to maybe be a bit of racism if you look for it. I'm sure there are many other things that went along with that.

Nowadays, in a less racist culture (in general), a strong family structure is not likely to pass down racism. Anyone trying to make it a causal relationship between family and racism is absolutely retarded.

Verithrax is right though, Daganev. You have hair-trigger sensitivity when it comes to things like this, and it's a little overboard. People are allowed to joke about these things. If it looks like anyone actually means anything, you can bet your ass we'll be all over them. Let jokes be jokes, or when something really offensive comes along, we're all going to dismiss you as some ranting thin-skinned weirdo.

I haven't been on a picnic since I was like three. Of course, who has time the time these days?

My dad's family has bbq's all the time. That's only because we all live in Texas, to be exact in San Antonio so it's possible for us to do that. I enjoy spending time with my family and I think it does help with stuff..in society.

Oh and...fire ants are evil. I sat on a hill of 'em by our lil' swimming pool when I was like 4-5. Evil texas fire ants...*mutter*

I remembers BBQs. But we hate our extended relatives. Oh well.